Health Topics > Bowel health > irritablebowelsyndrome

Factors that may contribute are:

• Liver dysfunction
• Stress and anxiety - Stress and psychological factors usually play an important role in the development of irritable bowel syndrome.
• Excessive use of drugs, such as antibiotics, analgesics and alcohol
• A diet high in refined sugars
• A diet high in saturated fats and processed fats
• A diet high in preserved meats and processed foods
• A diet low in fibre
• Lack of water and natural fluids
• Food allergies or intolerances may be triggering the symptoms. In Western society the most common culprits are wheat, gluten and dairy products.
  Western diets also contribute to irritable bowel syndrome through lack of fibre, lack of raw foods and lack of water.
• Allergies or intolerances to certain proteins, most commonly found in wheat and dairy products
• Overeating or eating too frequently
• Lack of digestive enzymes which may occur in older persons, or be due to stress.
• An overgrowth of the yeast, candida albicans, can also give rise to irritable bowel-type symptoms (see Candidiasis).

If you suffer any of these complaints, it is important to be assessed by your doctor. A young girl who has bloating and crampy pains clearly brought on by stress is not likely to require any investigation. However, an older person who develops symptoms of pain and diarrhoea for the first time will need a thorough examination of the bowel. 

What are the symptoms?

• Abdominal bloating
• Flatulence
• Abdominal pains may vary from aching, dull, pressure, cramping, burning or sharp. The pains are usually intermittent and may disappear for long periods of time.
• Irregular bowel actions; constipation, diarrhoea, or constipation alternating with diarrhoea.

The pain can be felt in any part of the abdomen, though most commonly around the lower left-hand side. The bowel actions may vary from constipation to diarrhoea and there may be excessive mucus in the bowel motion.  

Treatment and general recommendations

• An explanation of the symptoms and an understanding of the benign nature of the condition is often all some people require. Particularly if they have been fearful of an underlying cancer, this type of reassurance may actually improve many of their symptoms.
• It is important to try to resolve any ongoing stressful situations, or else to improve your stress management. Stress management techniques are very helpful if you feel that psychological problems are prevalent. These include things such as meditation, yoga, tai chi, hypnotherapy and a regular physical exercise program.

Diet 

To rid your body of dangerous toxins, repair your bowel, fight micro-organisms with natural antibiotics found in foods and strengthen your immune system, follow the two week deep cleansing diet found in "The Ultimate Detox"

Maintain with the vital healthy eating principles outlined on pages 20-27 of "The Healthy Liver and Bowel Book", and make these principles a way of life.  Note the section on Irritable Bowel Syndrome in this book.

Excerpt from "The Healthy Liver and Bowel Book"

One of my patients had been a very obese woman, or as she said a “yoyo dieter.” She told me that she had lost more than six hundred pounds in weight over the last 20 years and put more than that back on! She finally understood the importance of the liver in fat metabolism after reading my book, which allowed her to understand that “oils ain’t oils.” She started to replace heavy and damaged fats like butter, margarine and fatty meats with fish, lean veal and cold pressed oils. She told me that she used to make mashed potato with heaps of butter and salt, whereas now she cooks the potatoes and sprinkles them with olive oil. She will also add condiments to flavour the potatoes such as fresh garlic, chilli, coriander, healthy tomato or pesto sauces. She is able to feel satisfied after these foods because she is not on a low fat diet. Rather she is on the right fat diet, which is why she is now successful in keeping her weight and IBS under control.

Correct diet is a vital part of management of irritable bowel syndrome.

• Frequent smaller meals may be better than the usual three main meals a day.
• Chew your food slowly and thoroughly and don't rush meals.
• Increasing the amount of fibre in the diet is highly recommended. Include often - wholegrains including brown rice, legumes, and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Your diet should be providing 30 to 40 grams of fibre every day. If your diet is currently low in fibre you should increase your daily fibre intake gradually to allow your intestines to adjust.
• A gluten free diet is best.

Otherwise you may suffer with bloating and excessive gas. By gradually increasing dietary fibre you will over come many of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. A high fibre intake has also been proven to reduce your chances of bowel cancer. See the table of high fibre foods in "The Healthy Liver and Bowel Book"

Be careful with breads because many supermarket brands are made with mass production methods using ingredients like hydrogenated vegetable oils, large amounts of yeast and "improvers" which can cause bloating and discomfort. It is best to use stone ground wholemeal breads which have a fine texture and are free of little grainy bits. A little trial and error may be required before you find one that does not upset you. It is also a good idea to vary the types of bread you eat - try wheat, corn, rice, barley, oat, etc., as this will reduce the chances of food intolerance and allergies.

• Generally speaking, raw fruits and vegetables are very good for this condition. However, in those with a very sensitive bowel these may need to be chopped finely, grated or juiced.
• Do not use butter or margarine as these are too rich for the liver. Instead spread your bread and crackers with fresh avocado, hummus, tahini or nut paste, and make sure these are fresh.
• Raw vegetable juices diluted with water are also helpful. See the "IBS" juice recipe in"Raw Juices Can Save Your Life"
• It is vital to drink 8 glasses of water daily.
• Avoid - fatty foods, fried foods, alcohol, processed foods, white flour products, and refined sugars including cakes, chocolates and biscuits. Those with IBS, should never eat foods that are not fresh, and should avoid foods with a high load of unfriendly bacteria, as found in preserved meats (eg. ham, fritz, pizza meat, sausages, bacon, delicatessen meats ).
• If you suspect that you suffer from food allergies, discuss this with your doctor and consider an elimination diet. Typical food allergies which may provoke IBS symptoms include wheat, corn, dairy products, citrus fruits, and tea and coffee.
• Grind flaxseed (linseed ) in a coffee grinder and eat 2 to 3 tablespoons daily---place it on your cereal, fruits, vegetables, or mix it in a "smoothie" or in fruit juice. This is a fantastic bowel cleanser and laxative.

Recommended books

"Raw Juices Can Save Your Life" - see the IBS juicing recipe
Magnesium, The Miracle Mineral - You won't believe the DIFFERENCE it makes to your HEALTH!   This is my latest book and discusses Magnesium as being essential for hundreds of chemical reactions that take place in the body every second, with recent findings also indicating that it offers a wide range of important health-promoting benefits.  See page 9 for these benefits.

Orthodox Medical Treatment

Currently, doctors recommend a high fibre diet and stress management as first line treatment. If constipation is a problem, we recommend fibre supplements instead of irritating laxatives. Drugs such as mebeverine, dicyclomine and propantheline which reduce the activity of the bowel may also be helpful.

Recommended supplements

Fibre powder

• Take 2 teaspoons and gradually increased to 1 tablespoon over 2 weeks - this may be sprinkled onto cereal or stirred into soy, oat or rice milk smoothies - dairy foods should be avoided.

Magnesium powder or tablets

• Take 2 tablets twice daily or 1 teaspoon daily in water or juice to help promote relaxation of the bowel wall muscle. Magnesium is known as 'the great relaxer - it is a very calming mineral. 

IBS capsules

• Take 1 capsule three times daily - Specificially designed capsules containing peppermint oil help assist with medically diagnosed IBS and symptoms such as flatulence and cramps.  

Digestive enzyme capsules

• Take 1 capsule three times daily - A digestive enzyme supplement is also beneficial. Alternatively, apple cider vinegar is excellent for improving digestion. Take one teaspoon of a high quality organically grown apple cider vinegar mixed in a small glass of warm water with a teaspoon of honey and sip slowly during every meal.